All the anticipation has reached its peak.
Craig Shintani (7-2) and Clay Dixon (5-1) are scheduled to face off Friday evening at Unified MMA 35 in Enoch, Alta., where the winner will claim the featherweight championship.
Having tasted defeat in his maiden title bout against Mike Malott at XFFC 13, Shintani believes the experience has sharpened him into a fighter capable of capturing the gold.
"I wasn't fully prepared the first time around, and I'm not looking to make excuses," Shintani shared during a recent interview. "But I feel completely ready now — physically and mentally, I'm prepared to be champion."
"Undoubtedly the greatest achievement of my career."
At 27 years old, Shintani has proven himself a finisher, converting six of his seven wins before the final bell sounds.
Whether the action stays standing or moves to the mat, the Sherwood Park, Alta.-based competitor expects his finishing streak to persist on fight night.
"I don't see him matching my speed, my power, and my strength. Other opponents haven't realized that until they've stepped into the cage with me," Shintani explained.
"I'm built differently and I'm finishing this one. Whether it ends with a knockout or a submission, I don't mind — but it won't go the distance."
Before the matchup was set, Shintani said he learned Dixon had publicly accused him of steroid use, an allegation he vehemently denies.
Shintani maintains he has never used performance-enhancing substances and volunteered for a drug test to resolve the controversy.
"I'd gladly take a drug test because I'm completely opposed to cheating. It's wrong, illegal, and only those with weak character resort to steroids," Shintani stated.
"Perhaps he struggles to admit that I'm simply the superior athlete or that I look more imposing in the octagon. I think that comes down to him having inferior genetics."
Dixon Right at Home
Competing at 145 pounds puts Dixon, 30, squarely in his element, having spent most of his career at featherweight.
Conversely, Shintani faces 145 pounds for the first time, a fact Dixon sees as a significant vulnerability.
"He's missed weight twice at lightweight, so cutting down to 145 pounds likely won't serve him well," Dixon told reporters.
"That weight drop will drain his body significantly and, more importantly, weaken his chin. I've structured much of my training camp around the assumption that he'll be less robust at 145 than he was at 155."
Whereas Shintani leans toward quick finishes, Dixon has gone the distance multiple times and demonstrated the relentless pressure and conditioning to sustain it for five rounds.
He believes the fight dragging into later rounds heavily favors him, and he doubts anyone in the division, including Shintani, can match his stamina.
"My cardio and pressure are my advantages, particularly if I can push him into the deep waters of the later rounds," Dixon noted.
"He's just another fighter who won't survive 15 minutes with me, let alone the full 25 minutes."
This marks Dixon's inaugural title opportunity, and it arrives in his hometown, adding even more excitement to the moment.
Yet despite the chance to capture the belt, Dixon treats it as business as usual.
"The championship itself is certainly thrilling, but fundamentally it's just another fight," Dixon remarked.
"Two additional rounds, so that's how we've planned our strategy, but at the core it's just another bout and another victory."
Shintani's Shoutouts
"I want to extend my gratitude to everyone at Kingdom MMA who supported me through this camp, along with my friends and family."
Dixon's Shoutouts
"I just want to thank my team and everyone who assisted me in preparing for this fight."
